Murphy drives in 4, Rockies keep rolling, beat M's 8-4

SEATTLE (AP) — Daniel Murphy had a key two-run single and later hit a two-run home run, Garrett Hampson and Charlie Blackmon added solo shots, and the Colorado Rockies won for the sixth time in seven games, beating the Seattle Mariners 8-4 on Friday night.

The division-leading Rockies picked up their fifth victory in six games against the AL West.

“I still don’t think we’re hitting on all cylinders. I think there’s some guys who are swinging the bat well, (Blackmon) for one, (Murphy) is swinging well,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “But we get some other guys going I think you’re gonna see some big numbers on offense.”

Murphy’s hit with two outs in the sixth ended the night for Seattle starter Yusei Kikuchi and gave Colorado a 4-1 lead. The inning was kept alive by Matt Kemp’s double, despite getting fooled on the pitch from Kikuchi. Kemp reached for a pitch off the plate and dumped a double just inside the right field foul line to put runners at second and third with two outs.

Seattle allowed Kikuchi (0-1) to stay in for the lefty-on-lefty matchup against Murphy, but his slider caught too much of the plate and Murphy was able to beat the shift.

“(Murphy) can manipulate the bat head and I’m not sure he tried to do that, the pitch was in an area where he could use the center of the diamond, and he did, he got a base hit,” Black said.

Colorado then feasted on Seattle’s shaky bullpen. Hampson hit his first home run of the season with two outs in the seventh, and Blackmon led off the eighth with his third long ball. Blackmon had three hits and leads the National League with 22.

“I’m just trying to focus in the zone and not do too much,” Blackmon said. “You don’t have to take some incredible swing to hit a pitch if it’s right...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Murphy-drives-in-4-Rockies-keep-rolling-beat-15468636.php